-Melting point: −12.9 °C (260 K)
-Boiling point: 197.3 °C (470 K)
-Density: 1.1132 g/cm³. It's density is very close to that of water making it very easy to conceal in a drink.
-Color: Colorless. Very unnoticeable and hard to detect.
-State of matter: Liquid. Easily transported or concealed in various containers.
-Molar mass: 62.068 g/mol
Chemical Properties:
-Molecular formula: C2H6O2
-Molecular geometry: ethane-1,2-diol (carbon chain)
-Solubility: Soluble in water. Can easily be dissolved in a drink.
-Percent composition:
Carbon: 38.71%
Hydrogen: 9.68%
Oxygen: 51.61%
Ball and stick model of ethylene glycol.
Other Properties:
-Origin: French chemist Charles-Adolphe Wurtz first synthesized the compound in 1859 from ethylene glycol diacetate. It has been observed in outer space.
-Legality: It is widely used in automotive antifreeze, hydraulic brake fluids, and as a precursor to polymers. It is cheaply available and anyone can obtain this poison.
-Synthesis: The first attempt to synthesize this substance was by Charles-Adolphe Wurtz, who used ethylene glycol diacetate via saponification with potassium hydroxide. After WWI it was synthesized from ethylene dichloride in Germany and used as a substitute for glycerol in the explosives industry. In 1917, it was produced via ethylene chlorohydrin in the United States. Currently, ethylene glycol is produced from a reaction between ethylene oxide and water.
-Hazards: Ethylene glycol is so dangerous because it is odorless, colorless, and has a distinctive sweet taste. This unique feature of this poison makes it susceptible for people to consume in larger quantities. Sufficient ingestion of ethylene glycol will result in intoxication and vomiting, before causing metabolic acidosis, cardiovascular dysfunction, and finally acute kidney failure. Upon ingestion, ethylene glycol is oxidized to glycolic acid which is, in turn, oxidized to oxalic acid, which is toxic.
-Lethal dose = 1.4 mL/kg (approx. 1.5 g/kg), or 100 mL for adults (70 kg). Reports cite as little as 30 mL maybe be fatal.
-Reaction involving Ethylene Glycol:C2H4O + H2O → HOCH2CH2OH
“Isophorone was protected using ethylene glycol with p-toluenesulfonic acid in moderate yield. Water was removed by azeotropic distillation to shift the equilibrium to the right.” (Wikipedia)
Poison Properties
Physical Properties:
-Melting point: −12.9 °C (260 K)-Boiling point: 197.3 °C (470 K)
-Density: 1.1132 g/cm³. It's density is very close to that of water making it very easy to conceal in a drink.
-Color: Colorless. Very unnoticeable and hard to detect.
-State of matter: Liquid. Easily transported or concealed in various containers.
-Molar mass: 62.068 g/mol
Chemical Properties:
-Molecular formula: C2H6O2-Molecular geometry: ethane-1,2-diol (carbon chain)
-Solubility: Soluble in water. Can easily be dissolved in a drink.
-Percent composition:
Other Properties:
-Origin: French chemist Charles-Adolphe Wurtz first synthesized the compound in 1859 from ethylene glycol diacetate. It has been observed in outer space.-Legality: It is widely used in automotive antifreeze, hydraulic brake fluids, and as a precursor to polymers. It is cheaply available and anyone can obtain this poison.
-Reactivity: Ethylene glycol reacts violently with chlorosulfonic acid, oleum, sulfuric acid, perchloric acid, chromium trioxide, potassium permanganate, sodium peroxide, ammonium dichromate, silver chlorate, sodium chloride, and uranyl nitrate.
-Synthesis: The first attempt to synthesize this substance was by Charles-Adolphe Wurtz, who used ethylene glycol diacetate via saponification with potassium hydroxide. After WWI it was synthesized from ethylene dichloride in Germany and used as a substitute for glycerol in the explosives industry. In 1917, it was produced via ethylene chlorohydrin in the United States. Currently, ethylene glycol is produced from a reaction between ethylene oxide and water.
-Hazards: Ethylene glycol is so dangerous because it is odorless, colorless, and has a distinctive sweet taste. This unique feature of this poison makes it susceptible for people to consume in larger quantities. Sufficient ingestion of ethylene glycol will result in intoxication and vomiting, before causing metabolic acidosis, cardiovascular dysfunction, and finally acute kidney failure. Upon ingestion, ethylene glycol is oxidized to glycolic acid which is, in turn, oxidized to oxalic acid, which is toxic.
-Lethal dose = 1.4 mL/kg (approx. 1.5 g/kg), or 100 mL for adults (70 kg). Reports cite as little as 30 mL maybe be fatal.
-Reaction involving Ethylene Glycol:C2H4O + H2O → HOCH2CH2OH